Hyderabad: Fifty-eight tests are listed for detection of a wide range of common diseases and 'priority status' is given for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B and C, human papillomavirus and syphilis, according to the draft of National Essential Diagnostic List which is being prepared to avert unnecessary tests.
The National Essential Diagnostic List is along the lines of the National List of Essential Medicines to make people are aware of tests that are needed to be carried out and it will also function as a bar to bring down the diagnostic costs and streamline it.
A senior source in ICMR said, "It's a cumbersome exercise but is being carried out as it will help set the bar for costs and also make it clear what is necessary to be done and what is not."
The EDL which is expected to be finalised by year-end will help patients as unnecessary tests can be questioned and there can be accountability.
